In addition to a 24-hour room service menu, the Hyatt Regency offers several dining options for both guests and visitors.
Marker 10
Toward the back of the lobby is Marker 10, the hotel bar, which is surrounded by plush couches and lounge chairs. It is located alongside the hike and bike trail’s tenth mile marker, hence the name. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, live bands perform here. When I visited, I came down to the bar at night and there was a talented singer/songwriter playing guitar and singing beautiful, low-key music. Marker 10 also has a popular outdoor patio that has an up-close view of the lake, in addition to two weatherproof, flat-screen televisions that often broadcast sports games. The bar serves a variety of spirits in addition to a menu with snacks and meals such as sweet potato frittes, margherita pizza, and an artisan cheese plate.
PERKS
This is the hotel’s coffee shop and gift shop, which has street access, so anyone can stop in. It is open from the crack of dawn until late at night. They offer a variety of desserts and breakfast pastries in addition to pastas, salads, and sandwiches. Perks serves Starbucks coffee and sells gift items, including bottles of the hotel’s custom smoked salsa. I came here to grab dessert in the evening and breakfast in the morning; it was very convenient and affordable.
SWB (Southwest Bistro)
The SWB, or Southwest Bistro, serves Southwestern cuisine and is located on the second floor of the hotel in an open space that overlooks the lobby. Several tables have a fantastic view of the lake. One concept I love here is the community table, which is a large, high table toward the front of the restaurant. Individuals or small groups can share the table with others and enjoy its unique menu, which is custom-made by the two head chefs. Love says this is ideal for someone traveling alone. The chefs to the farmer’s market every weekend, so whatever they come back with goes into the menu for the community table that week.
In a corner of the bistro is a large screen on which they often play family-friendly movies. They have a summer movie series in addition to holiday movies in the winter. Love says it is a great way for the kids to be entertained while the adults enjoy a meal.
Other Amenities
The Hyatt has a state-of-the-art fitness room that is open 24 hours a day. It was upgraded in the recent renovations and features all new equipment, including cardio machines with touch screens. They also have yoga mats, weight machines, and free weights. Two of the treadmills overlook the lake. The room is always stocked with icy lemon water and refrigerated towels, plus complimentary headphones, which is a nice touch. I was impressed with how spacious and bright it was.
Around the corner from the fitness room is the hotel's outdoor heated pool and hot tub, which overlook the lake and downtown. The pool isn’t huge, but it is definitely large enough to be enjoyable. There are patio and beach chairs, and during the summer, they offer poolside food service.
Love said the hotel features 20,000 square feet of meeting space, and can accommodate anything from a 10-person board meeting to a 1,000-person banquet. He took me up to the 17th floor, which used to be home to a private restaurant. Now it features two ballrooms that offer an astounding view of the lake from above. Love says people often rent this space for parties and receptions, and that some photographers, such as those for SXSW, come up here to take photos of the Austin skyline for promotional material.
The Hyatt conveniently has several automated self-checkout machines at the front desk, so if you are in a hurry or don’t feel like dealing with someone, you can use the machine yourself and can have your receipt printed or emailed to you. You can also check out using your in-room television. Another automated feature is a resourceful flat-screen television hanging on the wall near the lobby entrance. It has constantly changing slides, which list everything from the hotel’s green initiatives to upcoming events to the hotel’s restaurant hours and specials. I thought this was very helpful and innovative.
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